Speak Out 8/4/06

Thanks for camp

I PICKED up my 7-year-old daughter from Camp Supernova in Jackson. I'd like to thank the staff who worked so diligently with this wonderful group of children. A special thank you to Sarah, my daughter's newfound friend. Thanks to all who helped in any way to make this two-day camp a wonderful experience for all. God's blessings.

Buying grades

I CAN advise the student on how to avoid F's. Get bonus points. You can earn bonus points for bringing the teacher facial tissues, paper towels, food, vinegar and baking soda for science class or putting your name on your paper. If most of the students do poorly on tests, the teacher will inflate the grade with bonus points. The system works. It doesn't matter if you learn. It teaches students to buy grades and undermines the work ethic. It also gives advantage to those with money. Of course, we'll pay for this lack of education in the future. But all that really matters is now.

Walking to school

MY DAUGHTER'S starting kindergarten. There's no bus to take her. School officials told us she's expected to walk. What happens on the days it is snowing or raining? What about parents who cannot transport their child? I think it's awful that we pay for schools, yet we can't get bus service for our child.

You can pay for it

I HAVE noticed three articles of interest. 1. Insurance premiums have not gone down in spite of tort reforms. 2. The cost of medical care and drugs have increased over 10 percent in a year. 3. Oil company profits are at an all-time high. It's like they are all saying "I have something you have to have, and if you're willing to pay enough, you can have it." One has to ask why our state and national leaders allow this to continue.

Love of music

I LOVE music in stores and in restaurants. I've been to known to dance in grocery-store aisles if something good comes on. Restaurant music is great too. I don't see how anyone cannot like music. It's wonderful. I I would rather see a working jukebox in a restaurant than a TV set.

Raise minimum wage

HOW CAN anybody be against raising the minimum wage? How can a person live on $5 an hour with gasoline prices and everything else going up? I used to be a Republican, but I've changed to Democrat. I saw the light.

Money tree

MODOT MUST have found a money tree. Look at the money spent for the mile markers on the interstates. I can't imagine how much they cost. Now the Missouri Department of Transportation is putting protection guards around all the overpass supports. How much does that cost? MoDOT talks about the high cost of asphalt. Now it's resurfacing I-55 with at least three layers. And what about the new road in Jackson? Some of it is 18 inches thick with asphalt. Will the person who found the money tree please stand up?

Survey ignored

I READ the article about the teacher survey in the Jackson School District. If it was correct, 100 out of about 300 teachers in the district filled out the survey. Then I read that superintendent Ron Anderson said he paid little attention to the survey. It seems to me if a third of my employees answered the survey, I would show some interest and be concerned.